Bear (community) - meaning and definition
Alsobearcubotterbearsbear culturegay bears
Definition
A subculture within gay and bisexual men's communities that celebrates larger, often hairy, masculine-presenting men. Cubs and otters are related labels.
At a glance
- A subculture of gay and bisexual men celebrating larger, often hairy, masculine-presenting bodies.
- Grew in the 1980s partly as a reaction to narrow body ideals.
- Has its own events, symbols and flag.
- Cub and otter are related labels; all are self-chosen.
In detail
The bear community grew in the 1980s partly as a reaction against narrow body ideals on the gay scene. It has its own events, symbols and flag. A "cub" is usually a younger or smaller bear, and an "otter" is slimmer and hairy.
These labels are self-chosen identities and preferences. Using them to describe someone else without their say can feel reductive.
In a sentence
- Big, bearded and proud member of the bear community.
- He calls himself an otter, slim and hairy, and he's the one who taught me the terms.
Where the word comes from
The bear community took shape in the US in the 1980s, particularly in San Francisco, through social groups and magazines that celebrated men who did not fit slim, smooth beauty standards.
Common questions
What is the difference between a bear, a cub and an otter?
Broadly, a bear is a larger, often hairy man; a cub is usually younger or smaller; an otter is slimmer and hairy. The labels are informal and people choose them for themselves.